Newport City Council will conduct interviews in Executive Session for the Position of City Manager on Wednesday, April 3, at 10:30 am and Thursday, April 4 at 9 am. Update: The City Council will also conduct interviews in Executive Session for the Position of City Manager on Monday, April 8, at 8:30 a.m, according to […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inCity & Government
Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (March 30 – April 6)
The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. RITBA Weekly Lane Closure Updates March 31 – April 6, 2024 Newport Claiborne Pell BridgeUpcoming improvements in the roadway between the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Magaziner introduces bill to support bicycle safety education
U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) on Friday, March 29Â introduced the Biking Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act to ensure that federal funding from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grants can be used to support bicycle education and safety programs. According to the NHTSA, the number of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes has been steadily […]
Posted inJobs
Rhode Island DEM seeks summer help for state parks, beaches
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is currently seeking lifeguards, park rangers, and other seasonal employees. The positions are available for the summer season, which is expected to last from late spring to early fall. The DEM manages 25 parks, 8 surf beaches, and dozens of other properties that span the state. With […]
Posted inCity & Government
Recap: This week at the Rhode Island General Assembly
By Rhode Island General Assembly Legislative Press Bureau. Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease Senate passes Lawson bill to expand parental, caregiving leave The Senate passed legislation (2024-S 2121) sponsored by Senate Majority WhipValarie […]
Posted inAP
Key takeaways about the condition of US bridges and their role in the economy
The rapid collapse of a Baltimore bridge that was struck by large cargo ship highlighted the importance that bridges play in the daily lives of many Americans. Six construction workers who were on the bridge are presumed dead. The drivers of more than 30,000 vehicles that crossed the bridge daily must find a new route around or […]
Posted inArts & Culture
East Providence actress Kali Reis honored at State House with Community Hero Award
An actress from East Providence was honored with a Community Hero Award at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday, March 28 at an event led by Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick). The award was given to Kali Reis, who is is a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, by a panel of […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport reminds residents to renew or apply for annual dog licenses
The City of Newport reminds residents that all dogs over six months must have a license. Rhode Island state law requires a license for any dog older than six months. Residents can apply for a license at the City Clerk’s Office at 43 Broadway or online. The cost is $9 for spayed or neutered dogs […]
Posted inCity & Government
Summer prices announced for Newport Community Electricity program
 Newport households and businesses enrolled in the City’s Newport Community Electricity program can expect to see their electric rates decrease this spring, according to a press release from the City of Newport today. Residential customers enrolled in the City’s default community plan can expect electric rates of 10.291 cents/kWh, which is below those being offered […]
Posted inCity & Government
Governor McKee, DEM, RI General Assembly announce 2024 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grantees, helping grow agricultural, seafood businesses
Governor Dan McKee, members of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced the 2024 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grantees at Newport Vineyards. More than 40 local farmers, fishers, specialty food producers obtained LASA grant awards, splitting more than $650,000 in funding on projects that will support the growth, development, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Providence Street Bridge in West Warwick to close for two nights in April
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be closing Providence Street (Route 33) over I-295 at the Providence Street Bridge in West Warwick for bridge work. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be closing the Providence Street Bridge over I-295 in West Warwick for bridge work. The two closures, scheduled for 10 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island receives federal funding to relaunch specialized certificate program for child welfare professionals
$201,639 in federal funding has been earmarked to revive a specialized certificate program that provides training opportunities for child welfare professionals, helping them better support the unique needs of children and families in need. The Adoption and Foster Care Certificate Program was established by the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Rhode […]
Posted inAP
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut receive proposals for offshore wind projects
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut received proposals Wednesday for offshore wind projects as the three East Coast states hope to boost their reliance on the renewable energy source. The three states joined in a historic agreement that allows for potential coordinated selection of offshore wind projects. Massachusetts received bids from Avangrid Renewables, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Four project developers submit offshore wind proposals to Rhode Island Energy
Rhode Island Energy announced today that it will evaluate offshore wind (OSW) proposals from four project developers in response to a request for proposals (RFP) for approximately 1,200 MW of clean and affordable energy – the largest procurement in state history. Proposals were received from: Avangrid Renewables LLC, Orsted, SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC, and Vineyard […]
Posted inNews
Officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development tour Lucy’s Hearth
 Lucy’s Hearth, which started 40 years ago as a community project to fight homelessness, today welcomed Dr. Kimberly A. McClain, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, and Juana Matias, New England Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Originally part of a former convent at St. Lucy’s Church […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island DEM offering free boating safety classes for teenagers
With summer just around the corner, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is offering free boating safety classes for young people 13 to 17. This is a two-day course that will teach participants everything they need to know about safety, regulations, and basic boating skills. The class will take place on Saturday, May […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Public Library to host free class on electronic and research tools
The Middletown Public Library will host a free class for all residents on Saturday, April 13. The class will teach residents about the library’s electronic and research tools, which are free of charge with a library card. The free class, which is open to all ages, will take place in the library’s meeting room, 700 […]
Posted inCity & Government
Sen. Euer bill would help Rhode Islanders pass on their homes without probate
While Rhode Islanders can avoid the costly and complex process of probate when they pass along financial assets like pension plans and life insurance policies to a named beneficiary, these mechanisms do not exist for Rhode Islanders looking to leave their home to a loved one after their death. Legislation sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee […]
Posted inCity & Government
Missing 17-year-old found dead near Newport State Airport
The Middletown Police Department announced on Wednesday, March 27, that they have recovered the body of a missing juvenile. At 11:17 am on Wednesday, March 27, Middletown Police Department said in a press release that their department, along with the Newport and Portsmouth Police Departments and U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force members, located the body […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island legislature considers changes to school safety drills
The Rhode Island legislature is considering legislation that would call for changes to the state’s school safety drills, including reducing the number of drills and the frequency with which they are executed. Under current law, there are three drills per year: monthly evacuation drills, lockdown drills in September and January, and two additional emergency evacuation […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Department Arrest & Dispatch Log: March 26 – 27
Newport Police arrested two Newport men on various charges on Tuesday, March 26, according to the Newport Police Department’s Arrest & Dispatch Logs for Tuesday, March 26, through 7 am on Wednesday, March 27. Arrest Log At 3:45 am on Tuesday, March 26, Benjamin Lederman, 23, of Newport, Rhode Island, was taken into custody by […]
Posted inAP
Ex-Rhode Island official pays $5,000 to settle ethics fine
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A former top Rhode Island official agreed Tuesday to pay a $5,000 to settle an ethics fine for his behavior on a Philadelphia business trip last year. The Rhode Island Ethics Commission found David Patten violated the state’s ethics code. Patten resigned last June following an investigation into the accusations of […]
Posted inNews
Exploring challenges while creating a new vision for Newport Schools — WUN’s monthly conversation with Newport’s School Superintendent
Newport’s Rogers High School has among the highest percentage of poor students in Rhode Island, and it is reflected in test scores. It is also reflected in high levels of absenteeism, something schools statewide are trying to resolve, including Newport. Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins WUN tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. for our live virtual video […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIDLIA Caucus outlines priorities for LEOBOR reform bill
The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Caucus (RIDLIA) has announced changes it wants to see included in the state’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR) reform bill. The caucus’s priorities include public reporting of LEOBOR cases and outcomes, the full removal of the gag order on officers accused of […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Department Arrest & Dispatch Log: March 25 – 26
Newport Police Department took three individuals into custody on Monday and another into custody early Tuesday morning, according to their Arrest & Dispatch Log for Monday, March 25, through 7 am on Tuesday, March 26 Arrest Log At 8:40 am on Monday, March 25, Tyrone Smith, 49, of Newport, Rhode Island, was taken into custody […]